# NTSB FTW90DRA09: Grumman G-164A, N6566, Altair, TX, September 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1990, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Altair, TX
- Coordinates: 29.549047, -96.409896 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5490&lon=-96.4099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22976
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DRA09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22976/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DRA09

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S USE OF IMPROPER TERRAIN FOR TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - runway maintenance - inadequate, airport personnel (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
- Fire, other

## Analysis

DURING THE FIRST DEPARTURE OF THE DAY THE AIRPLANE DID NOT ACCELERATE SUFFICIENTLY TO GET AIRBORNE AND CLEAR EIGHT FOOT TALL WEEDS AT THE SOUGH END OF THE PRIVATE STRIP. THE AIRPLANE GOT AIRBORNE AT THE END OF THE STRIP BUT THE CHEMICAL SPREADER ON THE BOTTOM OF THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED THE TALL WEEDS. THIS RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRSPEED, AND A SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH AN EARTHEN IRRIGATION DIKE. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST ABOUT 200 FEET FROM INITIAL IMPACT AND POST IMPACT FIRE CONSUMED THE WRECKAGE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ABOUT 50 FEET OF THE STRIP WAS COVERED BY TWO FOOT TALL WEEDS AND THAT THE REST OF THE TAKEOFF SURFACE WAS A HARD SURFACE DIRT CRUST WITH A SPONGY UNDER LAYER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6566](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6566-2021-05-08), registration cancelled 2021-05-08, S/N 704, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (registry code 3952704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 704
- Airframe hours: 9298
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Aero-Ag Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Aero Ag. Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 25, 1990, 1,250 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: NONE, runway 18, 1,600 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 6,500 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900914039809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900914039809A), Sep 14, 1990: Scwzer G164A, Altair, TX, Destroyed. Tried to depart weed grown strip. Lifted but weeds caught on spreader. Dragged down. Struck irrigation dike.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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